Assembling mechanism for linecasting machines



Nov. 25, 1969 I 05 ET AL ASSEMBLING MECHANISM FOR LINECASTING MACHINES Filed NOV. 14, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS KARL DEBUS KURT HEIM EL Nov. 25, 1969 3 K..DEB U$ ET AL 3,480,133

ASSEMBLING MECHANISM FOR LINECASTING MACHINES Filed Nov. 14, 1966 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS KARL DEBUS KURT HEIMEL United States Patent 3,480,133 ASSEMBLING MECHANISM FOR LINECASTING MACHINES Karl Debus, Bad Homburg, and Kurt Heimel, Neu Isenburg, Germany, assignors to Linotype, G.m.b.H., Frankfurt am Main, Germany Filed Nov. 14, 1966, Ser. No. 591,805 Int. Cl. B41b 11/30 US. Cl. 199-18 5 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Hydraulic mechanism for actuating the assembling elevator of a linecasting machine. The mechanism includes a single acting hydraulic cylinder which raises the elevator when a control valve is actuated to direct hydraulic fluid from a continuously running pump to the cylinder. A relief valve permits the hydraulic fluid to be circulated to a fluid reservoir when the assembling elevator is in its raised terminal position. The assembling elevator is restored to its lower position by a spring.

This invention relates to linecasting machines, and more particularly to power means for lifting the assembling elevator with an assembled line of matrices andspacebands to the delivery mechanism of such machines.

At the present time, in tape controlled linecasting machines the assembling elevator is lifted by mechanical means consisting of a worm gear clutch, a lifting cam, as well as mechanical transmission means including an overload clutch. Inasmuch as the matrices are not firmly held in the elevator but rather loosely assembled in it, it is necessary to damp the upward movement of the assembling elevator, since otherwise the matrices might be thrown out of it when the elevator arrives at its upper line delivery position. Moreover, up to now the elevator was permitted to fall back freely into its lower position after the matrix line was delivered therefrom. This resulted in the elevator bouncing one or more times before coming to rest in its matrix receiving position. With tape controlled linecasting machines this effect, i.e., the delayed arrival of the elevator at a state of rest, is considered to be unfavorable inasmuch as it often causes interference in the operation of the machine as when the first matrix of the following matrix line reaches the assembling elevator before the latter has come to an absolute rest.

To prevent such interference with possible attendant damage to matrices or the elevator, it became necessary to arrest the assembly of a succeeding line until such time as the elevator was properly seated to receive the line. This meant that additional time delays were introduced before the control tape was advanced in the tape reader to bring the signals for the next line into decoding position. Of course, the overall speed of operation of the machine as measured in lines of composition per minute is decreased as the number or length of time delays is increased. Thus it becomes highly deisrable to minimize the non-productive times during machine operation, and the present invention has this as one of its chief objects.

It is further to be said that complicated mechanical transmission levers and means presently are necessary to safeguard against the assembling elevator carrying an assembled line to the delivery position within that period of time during which the delivery slide has not yet returned to its position for accepting the assembled matrix line, and to safeguard against the assembly operation for the next matrix line being started at a time before the assembling elevator has reached its lower position. It is a further disadvantage of present assembling elevator power Patented Nov. 25, 1969 mechanisms that an expensive mechanical overload clutch is required to interrupt the upward movement of the asssembling elevator in the event that a matrix blocks its movement. Since the clutch, must be of sufficient power to raise the relatively heavy assembling elevator, it cannot be disengaged by a slight obstruction. As a result, while the ascending elevator may be arrested because of a protruding matrix, the matrix itself will be damaged due to the insensitivity of the clutch.

In the case of manually operated composing machines, where automatic lifting means for the assembling elevator are not provided, the operator is forced to interrupt his delicate keyboarding in order to lift the assembling elevator manually by means of a hand lever and carry the line to the delivery position. Compared with the keyboarding work this requires a relatively high physical effort. With manually operated composing machines it is a further disadvantage that these machines are not equipped with a safety device that prevents lifting of the assembling elevator during that portion of the machine cycle where the delivery slide has not returned to its line receiving position. The lack of such a device makes it necessary often to reset the line should be operator lift the assembling elevator before the delivery slide has returned to its line receiving position. In such a situation, where the assembling elevator is lifted out of its matrix receiving position, the assembler slide is restored by spring action to its right hand initial position. If the operator now moves the assembling elevator down, those matrices and space bands in the elevator cannot be correctly placed between the line resist finger fitted to the end of the assembler slide and the retaining pawls in the assembling elevator since the finger has been restored with the assembler slide to its start of line position. Rather, the finger, now back in its start of line position, will push against these matrices and space bands carried by the descending elevator and throw them out of the assembling elevator.

The invention is directed to the task of preventing the interferences of the known mechanical delivery devices, described above, and especially to prevent matrices being thrown out of the assembling elevator when it reaches its upper position and bouncing of the elevator when returning to its lower position. The invention also is intended to improve the working of the assembling elevator by means of a quick but smoother movement thereof so as to decrease the standstill time of the paper tape transport. A feature of the invention is to interrupt the upward movement of the assembling elevator arbitrarily by means of actuating a key at any time and any place in case of an interference with its travel, e.g., caused by a matrix being in the way.

The invention is characterized by a controlled hydraulic or pneumatic source of power which is operatively connected to the assembling elevator. Simpler constructional means, smooth stopping of the assembling elevator in its two final positions, as well as a considerably improved operation of the complete delivery device are special advantages of such a fluid operated elevator.

The invention is further characterized by a hydraulic or pneumatic working cylinder the piston of which is directly connected to the assembling elevator. This allows an improvement as far as the simplicity of the construction is concerned. The cylinders need not be maintained and are simple to exchange.

A further advantage can be achieved by using a spring which damps the upward movement of the assembling elevator, yet assists its downward movement. Thus by means of a single and simple exchangeable part both desirable results can be obtained.

A further advantage can be gained by use of a singleacting cylinder for the hydraulic or pneumatic working cylinder. This would especially assist the manual lifting of the assembling elevator in case this might prove necessary.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of key means to permit the arbitrary interruption of the upward movement of the assembling elevator at any place. With composing and linecasting machines constructed to date this feature does not eixst. It might, however, be very useful to be able to stop the assembling elevator in its upward movement if, for instance, the operator has noticed that a matrix has not been assembled in its correct place and he wishes to correct the error before the line is cast.

In accordance with another feature of the invention it might also be useful to introduce overload means into the hydraulic or pneumatic circuit which automatically stop the upward movement of the elevator by interrupting the hydraulic or pneumatic force in case this movement is blocked by an obstruction. Means so far used for this purpose consisted of mechanical overload clutches requiring considerable mechanical effort and relatively large actuating forces due to the relation of mass energy versus weight of the assembling elevator and, therefore, did not prevent damage to a matrix that interferred with the upward travel of the elevator.

Advantageously in accordance with the invention a hydraulic pump is used, and together with the control and the overload means it forms a structure of unitary construction. This arrangement makes unnecessary special hose connections normally used between the pump and the control means. Should the composing and linecasting machine already be equipped with a hydraulic or pneumatic circuit it is, in accordance with the invention, of further advantage to use a two-circuit pump and to use the oil container, the suction and pressure circuit of the existing system.

In accordance with the invention it is further of advantage if the hydraulic or pneumatic source of power is connected to a control valve which in turn is connected to the storage means or reservoir of the hydraulic or pneumatic medium via a suction and a return connection so that these two connections form a pressureless circuit with the storage means in the non-working position of the control valve. The control valve is additionally connected to the return connection via an overload means or relief valve. An essential advantage of this construction is that a single connection between the pump unit and the hydraulic or pneumatic source of power is sufficient for the lifting of the assembling elevator.

In accordance with the invention it is further useful to connect the piston of the control valve with the armature of the solenoid which is kept actuated by means of an electric impulse from the operating unit or manually by means of a key via a holding relay until that time when the assembling elevator has reached its uppermost position and the delivery slide has delivered the matrix line to the first elevator of the linecasting machine. The special advantage of this construction in case of control by perforated paper tape is that a short impulse is sufiicient to initiate the delivery operation. In case of manual operation the operator can deliver the line without the use of physical power by simply pressing a key, an operation similar to the pressing of keys on the keyboard to release a matrix.

It is useful to introduce into the electric circuit of the holding relay a switch which only activates the impulse connection when the transfer slide is in its right-hand position. Among other things, this construction has the advantage that the assembling elevator can only be raised when the delivery slide is in a position ready to transfer the matrix line from the assembling elevator to the first elevator.

Further features, advantages and applications of the invention can be taken from the accompanying drawing as well as from the following description.

In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic illustration of an electrically controlled hydraulic device in accordance with the invention with the control valve in its non-working position;

FIGURE 1A is a schematic illustration showing the control valve only in its working position;

FIGURE 2 is a partially schematic view in perspective showing the device attached to a composing and linecasting machine; and

FIGURE 2A is a schematic viewshowing the upper part of the assembling elevator in a larger scale.

In FIGURE 1, the assembling elevator 1 is connected by means of a piston rod 2 to the piston 3 of a hydraulic working cylinder 4. Inside the cylinder 4 and around the piston rod 2 a return spring 5 in the form of a spiral spring is assembled. The spring 5 presses on the one side against the piston 3 and on the other side against the upper end 6 of the cylinder 4. The double arrow P1 indicates that the assembling elevator 1, the piston rod 2-and the piston 3 can be moved up and down. The cylinder 4 is connected to a control valve 8 by means of a hydraulic connection 7. This control valve 8 is further connected to the oil container 11 via the connection 9, the pump 10, the connection 9a and also the connection 12. The arrows 13 and 14 indicate the direction of the fiow of the oil in accordance with the position of the control valve 8 illustrated in FIGURE 1. The control valve 8 is further connected to the connection 12 via the connection 15, the high pressure relief valve 16 and the connection 17.

FIGURE 1A illustrates the control valve 8 in its working position, i.e., moved to the left. The movement of the control valve 8 is indicated by the double arrow P2.

The control valve 8 is further mechanically connected with the armature .18 of the solenoid 19 such that the control valve 8 moves to and fro in the direction of the arrow P2. It is of advantage to fit the return spring 18a around the armature 18 between the control valve 8 and the solenoid 19. The solenoid 19 is electrically connected via the connection 20 with the positive potential of an electric source and via the connection 21 with the working contact 22 of a relay 23. This relay 23 is on one side connected to the connection 20 and on the other side to the holding contact 24 which connects to the negative potential of the electric. source via the connection 25, the normally closed working contact 26, the connection 27 and the test switch 28. Parallel to the working contact 26 and the holding contact 24 the normally open starting key 31 is connected via connections 29 and 30. I

As shown in FIGURES 2 and 2A, the upper part of the assembling elevator 1 is fitted with an assembler gate 35, to the right hand side of which the retaining pawls 36 and 37 are mounted (see especially FIGURE 2A). The assembled matrices, i.e., 38, 39 and 40 are held in a vertical position between the assembler slide finger 41 and the retaining pawls 36 and 37. The assembler slide finger 41 is connected in' the usual way to the assembler slide 42.

To the upper left of the assembling elevator, shown in its matrix receiving position in FIGURE 2, the delivery channel 43 and, further above, the spaceband box 44 are schematically illustrated. Below the spaceband box 44 the assembling elevator guide 45 of the delivery slide 46 is shown; the latter keeps the test switch 28 closed (FIGURE 1) by means of an actuating pin 47 in the matrix receiving position illustrated. The double arrow P3 illustrates the horizontal to-and-fro movement of the delivery slide 46. The double arrow P4 shows-the directions of movement of the assembler slide 42 with its assembler slide finger 41. In the illustrated example the assembling elevator .1 is rigidly, but detachably connected to the piston rod 2'by means of the connecting link 50. The rod 2 moves up and down inside the cylinder 4. The piston 3 mechanically linked with the piston rod 2 is not illustrated in FIG. 2. The cylinder 4 is fitted to the base of the linecasting machine (not illustrated) by means of a bracket 51.

One end of the hydraulic hose 7 is detachably connected to the lower end of cylinder 4 by the hose connection 52, the other end of the hose being connected via the connection 53 with the hydraulic unit 54. Unit 54 consists of the pump 10, the control valve 8, and the high pressure relief valve 16. From the hydraulic unit 54 the connection hoses 9a and 12 lead via hose connections'55 and 56 to the oil container 11, not illustrated in FIGURE 2. The pump 10, not shown in FIGURE 2 other than as part of unit 54, is driven by an electric motor 58 by means of a belt 57. The motor 58 is also, in a way not illustrated, mounted to the base of the linecasting machine, the keyboard of which is marked 59. To the right hand side of this keyboard 59 a control panel 60 with a starting key 31 (FIGURE 1) and a breaking contact 26 is fixed.

The device illustrated in FIGURES 1, 1A, 2 and 2A Works principally as follows: The electric motor 58 drives the pump .10 continuously via the belt 57. Thus the hydraulic fluid is continuously circulated, in accordance with FIGURE 1, in the direction of the arrows 13 and 14 via the connections 9, 9a and 12 (FIGURE 1) out of the container 11 into the control valve 8 and from here back to the container 11 in a so-called pressureless circuit. The operation mode described is the non-working mode. In this mode the solenoid 19 and the relay 23 are not actuated since contacts 22 and 24 are open in the non-working mode. No pressure is exerted on the piston 3 of the hydraulic cylinder 4; the piston 3 and the assembling elevator 1 mechanically connected to it are in their lower position (see also FIGURES 2 and 2A). In this lower position the assembling elevator 1 is prepared to receive matrices 38, 39 and 40, and spacebands, which are assembled in the known way, and during which operation the assembler slide finger 41 at the end of the assembler slide 42 is transported to the left in accordance with the brass width of the matrices. The matrix line is fixed in this position of the assembling elevator 1 between the assembler slide finger 41 and the retaining pawls 36, 37, the slide finger 41 being spring biased to the right in the conventional manner.

When the matrix line consisting of matrices and spacebands is completed the relay 23 is energized as a result of an electric impulse originating from either a perforated tape controlling the machine or from a manually actuated key 31; the armature of the relay 23 is actuated to close the working contact 22 as well as the holding contact 24. In this way the relay 23 remains enerized. g To make the relay 23 work the transfer slide 46 must keep the test switch 28 closed in its accepting position in accordance with FIGURE 2. The working contact 22 of the relay 23 closes the electric circuit of the solenoid 19 which, thereupon, pulls the control valve 8, which is mechanically linked to the solenoid armature 18, into its working, left-hand position (FIGURE 1A). Thus the connections for the pressureless flow of the hydraulic fluid are interrupted. Instead, a circuit between the hydraulic connection 9 and the connection 7 leading to the working cylinder 4 is eflected. The pump now delivers the hydraulic fluid into the cylinder 4 and thus pushes the piston 3 as well as the assembling elevator 1, mechanically linked with it, upwards; the return spring 5 exercises increasing counter-acting force as the upward movement continues thus effecting a substantial damping of the upward movement towards the end of such movement. At the end of the upward movement the assembled matrix line has reached the level of the transfer slide 46 (FIGURE 2).

Since the pump 10 continues to deliver the hydraulic fluid after the assembling elevator 1 has reached its uppermost position, and since the piston 3 cannot be moved further upward, the hydraulic fluid is redirected into the oil container 11 via the hydraulic connection 15, the high pressure relief valve 16, the connection 17 and the return connection 12. This high pressure relief valve 16 also becomes etfective in case the upward movement of the assembling elevator 1 is blocked and cannot be completed, e.g., by a jamming matrix. In case of such blocking of the upward movement it is necessary to relieve the pressure in the hydraulic device 5A in order to be able to correct the matrix line. For this purpose the breaking contact 26 is opened by means of finger pressure thus breaking the electric circuit of the relay 23 and, consequently, disconnecting the solenoid 19. The return spring 18a causes the return of the control valve 8 into its right hand position. This, in turn, again activates the pressureless circuit marked by arrows 13 and 14 in FIGURE 1. This makes possible the downward movement of the assembling elevator 1; this downward movement is effected by the weight of the assembling elevator 1 and the mechanical parts linked with it as well as the return spring 5 fitted into the cylinder 4.

In normal operation the matrix line consisting of matrices, e.g., 38, 39, 40, and spaoebands is taken over in the upper position of the assembling elevator 1 by the transfer slide 46 and is transported to the left to the first elevator (not illustrated). Thus the test switch 28 is opened when the actuating pin 47 of the transfer slide 46 is moved out of contact with switch 28. The result is to deenergize the relay 23 and thereby open contacts 22 and 24. Consequently, the solenoid 19 is deenergized and the spring 18a returns the control valve 8 into its right hand position (FIGURE 1) to reestablish pressureless circuit. In this way the assembling elevator 1 is free to move downward, this movement being assisted by the return spring 5 as described above. After the transfer slide 46 has returned to its line receiving position (FIGURE 2) the test switch 28 is closed again by means of the actuating pin 47.

The manually operated breaking contact 26 being part of the same circuit 25 and 27, the purpose and function of which has been described above, normally remains closed also. The starting key 31 normally is open. It is manually operated if it is desired to lift the assembling elevator 1 manually. In case of operation controlled by perforated tape this action is eflected by actuating a negative impulse source, parallel to the starting key 31 and not illustrated in FIGURE 1; i.e., an impulse source delivering a negative impulse.

What is claimed is:

1. In a linecasting machine, apparatus for lifting the assembling elevator from its assembling position to its delivery position and returning the elevator to the assembling position, said apparatus comprising a single acting hydraulic cylinder having a piston connected to the assembling elevator; spring means to maintain said piston in its lowermost position and the assembling elevator in its assembling position; a fluid reservoir; a pump motor means to run said pump continuously in one direction during machine operation; drive means for connecting said motor means to said pump; a relief valve; a control valve for directing the flow of fluid from said reservoir to said hydraulic cylinder, said control valve containing a member movable to either of two positions, in one position of which the member directs fluid from said pump back to said reservoir and from said hydraulic cylinder back to said reservoir, and in the second position of which the member directs fluid from said pump to said hydraulic cylinder and through said relief valve back to said reservoir; solenoid means for moving said control valve member between its two positions; and means for controlling energization of said solenoid means.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said energization controlling means includes re'lay means for energizing said solenoid means, and starting means to energize said relay means after a line of matrices and spacebands have been composed in the assembling elevator.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 including spring means for maintaining said control valve member in its one position when said solenoid means is deenergize'd, and wherein said energization controlling means includes switch means responsive to the delivery of a composed line from the assembling elevator to the delivery channel of the linecasting machine for deenergizing the aforesaid relay means whereby the assembling elevator is restored to a matrix receiving position.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 including a pin member carried by the delivery slide of the linecasting machine and wherein said switch means prevents energization of said relay means until the delivery slide of the linecasting machine is restored to its initial delivery position ready to deliver a composed line from the assembling elevator to the delivery channel and said pinmember actuates said switch means.

8 5. Apparatus according to claim 3 including manually operable switch means for deenergizing said relay means whereby by manual intervention the assembling elevator can be restored to a matrix receiving position during its movement towards the line delivery position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS ERNEST T. WRIGHT, m, Primary Examiner 

